if ($table->cell($rownum, 0..2) =~ /\xa0/) {

[download]

acts on the result returned from $table->cell($rownum, 0..2). The two subsequent substitutions (only one of which is performed for a particular pass through the code) will act on $_ - which has not been affected by the code shown. It may be that what you really want is something like:

my $cellStr = $table->cell($rownum, 0..2);

if ($cellStr =~ /\xa0/) {
    $cellStr =~ s/\xa0\d+/ /;
} else {
    $cellStr =~ s/\xa0//;
}

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or you could use the default variable:

$_ = $table->cell($rownum, 0..2);

if (/\xa0/) {
    s/\xa0\d+/ /;
} else {
    s/\xa0//;
}

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Oh, and if/else is not a loop! It is however a control structure.

Update: having looked at your code just a little longer - What are you trying to do! Are you trying to edit the string returned by the method call, or is there a larger context in which your code actually makes sense and you do want to edit the contents of the default variable (which must be set as a side effect of the call - very nasty!)?

Perl reduces RSI - it saves typing

In reply to Re: Will a substitution in an if/else loop default to $_? by GrandFather
in thread Will a substitution in an if/else control structure default to $_? by Lawliet

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